UNDP, in partnership with the Akimats of the North Kazakhstan Region and the city of Petropavlovsk, the Department of Emergency Situations of the North Kazakhstan Region, Qyzyljar Creative Center, and SKO Hub, announces the launch of Urbathon — a contest to collect innovative solutions to strengthen urban resilience in Petropavlovsk.

Urbathon invites individuals and teams to submit practical ideas that can help build a city resilient to disaster risks and climate change. Proposed solutions may include environmental and infrastructure projects, digital tools and services, creative initiatives, or educational programmes.

Who can participate: Students, urban planners, ecologists, IT specialists, designers, activists, and any interested residents — individually or in teams.

Benefits for winners:

• Prize fund of 300,000 KZT

• Mentorship and incubation programme

• Opportunity to apply for implementation funding of up to $50,000 from UNDP donors

Key dates:

• 25 November 2025 — Deadline for proposal submissions

• 29–30 November 2025 — Urbathon and pitching event at Qyzyljar Creative Center

• December 2025 – 2026 — Incubation of selected projects

Submit your proposals here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSepyeukHAZ2p_-lmRjl6GgfSS-q9WNg0P2VJTuHKPr_bVKDwQ/viewform

Urbathon is implemented as part of the project to enhance urban resilience to disaster risk and climate change in Central Asia, funded by the Government of Japan, and the project integrating climate adaptation into strategic planning in Kazakhstan, supported by the Green Climate Fund.